Chapter 658: Hands off.

The first time the topic came up, it wasn’t about this kind of incident, but rather a somewhat commercial matter.

I summarized the events that happened in the Northern Sea and told them.

I didn’t reveal what couldn’t be revealed. I organized the words I could possibly say and delivered them to Moyong Hi-ah.

Of course, that role wasn’t mine to play; it was Yuri’s job.

Sarak.

Moyong Hi-ah read the organized letter a few times.

Inside the room, only the sound of her touching the letter could be heard.

After looking at the letter for quite some time like that, Moyong Hi-ah spoke.

“I heard the story well.”

Even as she spoke, her gaze remained fixed on the letter.

“First, I express my regrets regarding the events that occurred in the Northern Sea.”

“Thank you for your words….”

Yuri replied to Moyong Hi-ah’s statement, but a sense of tension could be felt in his voice.

It couldn’t be helped.

Moyong Hi-ah was, in this kind of situation, a more difficult person to deal with than anyone else.

Tuk.

Moyong Hi-ah, putting down the letter she was holding, looked at Yuri.

“However, separate from those regrets, I have many questions for the acting Palace Lord. May I begin?”

“…Yes.”

This was where it truly began.

“Thank you for your understanding. Now, it’s about the contract we made before proceeding with the work.”

Her voice lowered further. For someone who was, at best(?), at the peak level, her intimidation was no joke.

“In the contract, you mentioned that upon completion of the work, we could obtain exclusive contract rights with the Northern Sea. Is that contract still valid?”

“…It is valid.”

Moyong Hi-ah nodded at Yuri’s answer.

“Then, the statement that you would proceed with the transaction within at least three months after completion. Is that still possible?”

‘Hmm?’

Hearing Moyong Hi-ah’s words, I widened my eyes.

‘Did she even secure a contract like that?’

I knew she had obtained exclusive trading rights and the like, but it seemed she had diligently set a deadline too.

Her work ethic was certainly thorough.

Yuri’s expression darkened upon hearing that.

“…Regarding that part, there seems to be a problem, so it will be difficult.”

Distributing the trade within three months. Even though the contract was set up like that, it was impossible right now.

‘Of course.’

Yes, it was an obvious statement. The war wasn’t over; it was still ongoing.

Judging by the situation, they would win and clean up soon, but…

Even that would take three months.

After that, until the Ice Palace was rebuilt, personnel were replenished, and things stabilized, it would take at least a year.

To ignore all this and start trading within three months?

It was an absurd notion.

“I see.”

Moyong Hi-ah nodded lightly upon hearing the reply.

Since she had already heard the news via letter, she must have expected it long ago.

“Then, in your view, acting Palace Lord, when do you think the transaction might be possible?”

“At the very least, by this time next year…”

“Please be precise. You said the same thing when the contract was signed.”

“…”

Although they looked similar except for their hair, the feeling was different.

Yuri, pressured by Moyong Hi-ah’s imposing aura, seemed flustered.

Yuri, while not unintelligent by any means, seemed considerably less sharp than Moyong Hi-ah.

“I can do it by next autumn.”

It changed from summer to autumn.

It was a reasonable concession.

However.

“That means the timeframe has been extended by at least a few months.”

It wasn’t necessary for us to understand that.

“While I regret the circumstances in the Northern Sea, as the contract has effectively been breached, rather than canceling the agreement, I believe we should adjust the terms. Do you agree?”

Before Yuri could reply, a letter was already placed on the table.

When did she take that out again?

No, fundamentally.

‘When did she prepare that?’

Judging by its appearance, it wasn’t prepared just now. Based on the condition of the letter and the hardened ink, it must have been a few days old.

This meant…

‘…She anticipated this right from the moment we departed?’

No matter how you looked at it, three months was impossible.

It meant Moyong Hi-ah, anticipating this, had already prepared to change the contract.

‘What a terrifying person.’

If nothing else, I must never get caught by Moyong Hi-ah.

Seeing this, I became even more certain.

Of course, changing a contract isn’t something that happens easily, and as the conversation progressed, Yuri seemed to be trying to find some way out.

However.

“Thank you. Then, let’s conclude this matter like this.”

“…Yes, yes….”

As time passed and the conversation neared its end, Yuri looked pale, completely drained.

Moyong Hi-ah, however, looked as composed as she had at the beginning.

Even just watching from the side made me break out in a cold sweat.

Her way of cornering her opponent with words was so impressive that I couldn’t help but click my tongue in admiration.

“The quarters for the Princess have been prepared. Your escorts who accompanied you will also be heading there.”

‘Ah, right, there were those guys too.’

Come to think of it, the guys who came as Yuri’s escorts seemed to have been left behind here.

I left them behind because they were a hassle, but it seemed Moyong Hi-ah had taken good care of them.

‘…So, Yuri will have to stay here until at least next autumn.’

From the Palace Lord’s perspective, it was likely sent as a refuge, but in effect, it was no different from being a hostage.

It also created a justification to hold onto them until the contract was properly fulfilled.

Consequently, it gave the Palace Lord a reason to start trading with the merchant guild as soon as the war ended.

Yuri was essentially the leash.

Moyong Hi-ah said that with a smile.

“…Th…thank you….”

Yuri, having nothing more to say, nodded tiredly, and the conversation concluded.

Afterward, Yuri rose first, following the servant’s guidance.

Seeing that, I nudged Woo Hyuk and told him to follow.

Woo Hyuk followed Yuri without a word.

“I’ll be going ahead.”

Moyong Hi-ah pretended not to see the greeting Woo Hyuk offered.

Her attitude was particularly harsh, so I couldn’t even point it out.

After the two left, a brief silence fell upon the room.

When the seconds felt like eons.

“Hoo….”

Moyong Hi-ah let out a soft sigh, and the atmosphere eased slightly.

Relaxing her stiff expression slightly, Moyong Hi-ah looked at me and asked.

“Did you have a good trip?”

“…Sort of?”

“Judging by this, it doesn’t seem like you had a good trip.”

I wondered what could possibly be written in the letter the Palace Lord must have written.

I felt like I was about to break out in a cold sweat without realizing it.

Perhaps my expression gave it away, as Moyong Hi-ah smirked while looking at me.

“Never mind. I’ve known for a long time that you wouldn’t just have an ordinary time wherever you go, Young Master.”

“…That sounds a lot like an insult?”

“Yes. It’s not a compliment.”

“Uh, yeah… Right.”

I had to smile awkwardly at her words.

“Where did Madam Mi go?”

“The Guild Leader is away on business for a few days. She should be back around tomorrow, I think.”

Business, huh.

Then again, considering the timing, it’s when Madam Mi would be busy.

‘The Martial Arts Tournament is coming up soon.’

The busiest time for a merchant guild isn’t during a festival, but just before it.

Since they need to secure contracts and make preparations starting now to profit during the festival, it wasn’t strange for Madam Mi, the Guild Leader, to be active.

“And… even if that weren’t the case, she seems quite busy due to the rumors.”

“Rumors?”

I asked again at her meaningful words.

I had heard about this earlier too.

During my conversation with Beom Dong, I had overheard talk about ‘rumors’.

“The fact that the Alliance’s Grand Elder visited too. I heard that was the issue, what happened?”

“There’s an organization called the Demonic Cult (魔敎) that’s been causing quite a stir in the Central Plains recently.”

Hearing this, rather than being surprised, I couldn’t help but smile.

‘Looks like they’re doing well.’

It seems they’re doing what I assigned them properly.

The progress seems a bit fast, but it’s not bad at this level.

“They say it’s a sect founded by an unheard-of master called the Heavenly Demon (天魔)… and that they attack indiscriminately, whether orthodox or unorthodox sects.”

This was also within expectations.

Rather, I had encouraged them to spread rumors and act boldly, so it felt like the news spread later than expected.

Yes, up to this point, it was fine.

But.

“There’s a rumor that the identity of this Heavenly Demon is the Defeated Venerate (敗尊), one of the Three Venerates.”

‘…What?’

This was unexpected.

This part, at least, wasn’t part of my plan.

Where did this rumor even come from?

Before I could even think about that.

“Huh?”

A questioning voice came from behind.

“…”

I felt a sudden gaze pierce me and had to swallow dryly.

‘…It seems I’ve screwed up?’

It was certain.

That person just started suspecting me with those words.

Without a hint of hesitation, they immediately began to suspect me.

That’s harsh. I mean, I did it, but shouldn’t they at least ponder it a bit?

‘Shit, who is it?’

Where is the source of that rumor?

At least, it was a rumor that shouldn’t have spread ‘yet’.

Who is it?

‘Could it be Pildu-ma?’

He was the most likely candidate, but I thought it couldn’t be.

He wasn’t such a foolish old man as to spread this kind of rumor.

Then who could it be?

‘I don’t know.’

I don’t know for now.

Besides, this wasn’t the time to rack my brain.

“Young Master?”

“The Defeated Venerate…? That seems unlikely, doesn’t it?”

For now, pretending ignorance was the priority.

Moyong Hi-ah nodded in agreement with my answer.

“Yes, I think so too.”

Moyong Hi-ah’s gaze drifted somewhere.

It was directed towards the Defeated Venerate sitting right behind us.

Did she realize the Defeated Venerate was here?

I don’t think so.

‘She probably just saw the descendant of the Bi family.’

The Seonan Bi family, the origin of the Defeated Venerate Bi Ju.

Since a member of that clan was right here, she probably couldn’t dare to speak ill of them.

“…Surely, it’s not something one of the Three Venerates of the orthodox faction would do.”

“That’s right, it’s impossible.”

The Defeated Venerate let out a slight chuckle.

It was the first time he had spoken since arriving here.

“It doesn’t seem like that great person would do such a thing…”

He called himself a great person with his own mouth.

I somehow managed to suppress my expression from twisting.

“By any chance, do you know why such a rumor spread?”

These were the words the Defeated Venerate asked Moyong Hi-ah.

“Regarding the information, there’s a saying that someone spread it…”

Moyong Hi-ah’s tone suggested that wasn’t the case.

Does that mean someone didn’t spread the information?

Then what is it?

As if sensing my doubt, Moyong Hi-ah spoke.

“…There’s information that the martial art used when he killed the Wudang Sect Elder was a unique martial art used by the Defeated Venerate.”

“…”

“This isn’t confirmed information, but… they say investigations are underway based on the fact that the so-called Heavenly Demon displayed an aura comparable to that of the Three Venerates.”

I nodded upon hearing that.

Hmm, I see.

‘It’s because of me. Hahaha, fuck.’

It seemed a problem arose because I caused too much chaos.

I can’t even curse, what a damn situation.

I thought it wouldn’t be detected because the Twin Phoenix Heavenly Dance seemed unremarkable on the surface.

‘Someone must have seen it.’

If they could notice this, it means other elders were nearby.

‘Or they found some trace….’

It seems they found something.

‘I’m screwed.’

I had to think while hiding my cold sweat.

Is the information spreading like this the problem? No.

‘Who cares.’

I’m not interested in that anyway, since my identity hasn’t been revealed.

The problem is.

‘I can’t get caught by that person.’

At the very least, I can’t get caught by the actual person involved.

‘The gaze is painful.’

Already, the Defeated Venerate is staring intently at me.

I mustn’t turn my head.

If I turn it now, it’s game over.

So, what should I do? I racked my brain for a moment and then had an idea.

‘Can’t be helped.’

In times like these, there’s no other way.

I have to use the last resort.

‘Bolt.’

Let’s run.

Thinking that, I got up.

“Young Master?”

“Something urgent came up. See you later.”

“What? Suddenly? Young M-!”

Moyong Hi-ah tried to call me urgently, but…

I was already gone.

“…Huh?”

Moyong Hi-ah looked bewildered by the sudden situation.

Is he really leaving?

We haven’t met in ages?

“This guy really…!”

Moyong Hi-ah clenched her fist fiercely and ground her teeth.

‘We haven’t even finished talking…!’

I couldn’t even bring up the topic related to the Sword Peak, so why did he disappear in such a hurry?

Just as Moyong Hi-ah was trying to calm her boiling anger.

“Then I’ll be going too. See you later!”

Tang Soyeol, who had been watching nervously from behind, quickly greeted Moyong Hi-ah and disappeared.

That was even more annoying.

“…Both of them, I won’t let them off the hook when I see them later.”

Moyong Hi-ah, thinking she’d teach them a lesson if she caught them, managed to catch her breath.

And then she realized.

That she was now alone in this room with an uncomfortable individual.

“…”

Perhaps embarrassed by the behavior shown, Moyong Hi-ah adjusted her posture.

Then she looked at the young man before her.

A handsome young man with black hair, black eyes, and gentle features.

‘Turyong.’

A relative of the Defeated Venerate.

Turyong Bi Ui-jin.

Although they were both among the Six Dragons and Three Peaks, we had never conversed before.

I merely considered him a friend because he accompanied Gu Yangcheon.

He was also someone Moyong Hi-ah seemed subtly uncomfortable with.

‘…He’s a strange guy, atmospherically.’

It didn’t seem like he was building walls, yet he appeared indifferent to others.

His gaze, showing no interest in anything, made those black eyes even darker.

Her instincts were telling her.

That she shouldn’t treat him carelessly.

An inexplicable sense of unease gripped Moyong Hi-ah’s demeanor.

While Moyong Hi-ah watched Turyong with such discomfort.

‘Why isn’t he leaving?’

For some reason, Turyong remained seated in the room, not leaving.

One would expect him to get up now that his companions had left.

As Moyong Hi-ah pondered this.

“You see.”

Turyong spoke to Moyong Hi-ah.

“Was it Snow Phoenix you mentioned?”

“…Yes, that’s right. Young Master Turyong.”

Turyong smiled at Moyong Hi-ah’s reply.

It was a smile that looked gentle, but an inexplicable unease could be felt.

Amidst that unease, Turyong said something unexpected to Moyong Hi-ah.

“It seems you like making deals. Would you like to make a deal with me? I’ll offer a reward that isn’t bad.”

“…What kind of deal are you talking about all of a sudden? If perhaps, regarding what you just said….”

“Ah, it’s not about that. It’s obvious anyway, so I can find it myself.”

“Yes?”

Does that mean it’s not about the Defeated Venerate?

Then what on earth does he want to trade?

“I’m asking because you seem like a trustworthy person, Miss. I’d like you to find some information.”

“…Information?”

“It’s nothing major.”

As Turyong spoke, his expression changed.

“I’d like to ask for some information regarding the Flame King (炎王).”

He was still smiling, but…

Turyong’s smile only reached his lips.

Moyong Hi-ah felt a chill at that sight.

********************

I came out of the merchant guild as if escaping.

I increased my speed to put distance between us, but my gaze kept darting back.

‘…Why isn’t he following?’

I thought he’d follow immediately and grab me by the neck, but contrary to my expectations, the Defeated Venerate didn’t come out.

That was even scarier.

It felt like he was saying, ‘See you later.’

‘Damn it.’

I never thought such a rumor would spread.

It’s become a bit of a headache.

“…Tsk.”

I clicked my tongue and shook my head.

Ah, whatever.

If I get caught, I’ll just pretend I didn’t do it. What else can I do?

‘If I say it wasn’t me, what can they do?’

I decided to keep it simple.

It’s the ‘sue me’ approach.

Alternatively, running away for days could be an option.

Although it would make things more difficult when we meet later.

Tuk tuk.

I brushed off the dust that had gotten on me from rushing out.

“Hmm.”

As I brushed off the dust, I looked around and saw there were many people.

It must be because the festival period is approaching, so many people have arrived.

Moreover, I could see that the proportion of martial artists among the crowd had notably increased.

‘Their cultivation levels are high.’

Not only first-rate experts, but I occasionally saw peak-level martial artists too.

Most likely, they were all here for the Martial Arts Tournament.

‘It seems there’s a lot of interest in this Martial Arts Tournament.’

It couldn’t be helped.

It’s a tournament held after several years, and the prizes at stake are extraordinary.

‘There might be famous swords or elixirs, but…’

The most important thing here is none other than…

‘The revival of the Divine Dragon Brigade.’

The elite unit directly under the Alliance Leader, a group of masters that represented the Martial Arts Alliance.

That was the Divine Dragon Brigade, and the unit that had temporarily disappeared due to an incident was now talking about revival along with the Martial Arts Tournament.

It signifies rebuilding their symbolism, along with the honor of being able to participate in its inception.

Those who live and die by reputation would inevitably be tempted.

And this was an important aspect for me too.

The most crucial part of the ‘plan’ I have moving forward.

I had to find a way to utilize the Divine Dragon Brigade somehow.

‘The Martial Arts Tournament is less than a month away, so maybe I should start preparing.’

It’s annoying that I have to get moving right after arriving, but this isn’t the time to hesitate.

So, intending to check on the task I entrusted, I was just about to head to Pildu-ma again.

Tuk-!

“Kyaak!”

Someone bumped into me and fell.

I shifted my gaze to look, and it was some woman.

Naturally, I didn’t offer my hand to help her up; I just stared.

Afterward, the woman got up from her fall and hurriedly bowed her head to me.

“I apologize. This girl wasn’t looking where she was going. Are you hurt anywhere?”

As she bowed her head, the scent of incense filled my nostrils.

Feeling it, I wrinkled my nose.

It was a strong scent.

Others might not know, but I don’t particularly like this fragrance.

At the same time, the woman’s face became visible through her veil.

Seeing it, my eyebrows twitched slightly.

‘Haha.’

After confirming, I couldn’t help but smile.

It was a familiar face.

The woman was quite beautiful.

If Wi Seol-ah or Namgung Bi-ah were faces that a hundred out of a hundred people would look at, she was perhaps a face that ninety out of a hundred would look at.

She had an impressive mature aura and alluring eyes, with a voluptuous figure and well-defined curves that anyone could see would ignite men’s hearts.

‘Well, well?’

The women around me were all so outstanding that a beauty of this level wouldn’t even catch my eye.

The reason for my surprise was none other than this.

‘Her actions are still swift. Sending that woman straight away…’

The woman’s alias was Bi Hyeon-hwa (悲炫華).

She was a member of the Martial Arts Alliance’s investigation team, famous for using honey traps to extract information.

This meant…

She was sent by Beom Dong from the Martial Arts Alliance.